Contact CHSR
The Center for Hazardous Substance Research
2010 Durland Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
Phone: 785-532-6519
chsr@k-state.edu
News & Upcoming Events
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CHSR has been announced as the winner of a $23 million grant from the EPA to expand its Technical Assistance to Brownfields program.
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See all upcoming *FREE* TAB Brownfields workshops and webinars
Articles
Growing Climate Solutions Act (link is external)
Partnerships help improve water quality in Kansas (link is external)
Videos
- 2015 International Year of Soils - Watch the video (link is external)
- The Ogallala Road by Julene Blair - Watch the video (link is external)
- The Waters of Kansas - Watch the video (link is external)
Do you have an upcoming sustainability-related conference or workshop you think should be here? Tell us!
Eastern Surplus Superfund Site, Passamaquoddy Tribe, Pleasant Valley, Maine
Site Overview
Site Location
Meddybemps, Maine
Site Description
Cultural artifacts were uncovered when PCB contaminated soils were being removed during remedial processes of Eastern Surplus Superfund Site. This 3-acre site is located in aboriginal territory of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and impacts fish and wildlife resources that are utilized by both Pleasant Point and Indian Township, two Passamaquoddy Reservations. Eastern Surplus was used from 1946 to 1980 for the disposal and storage of surplus military equipment and salvage items. Discovery of leaking electrical transformers, gas cylinders, drums containing chemicals and areas of stained soil lead to subsequent sampling of soils by EPA. The EPA revealed that contaminants of concern at the site included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), metals and solvents. Upon the discovery of cultural artifacts in July 1999, the Pleasant Point Tribal officials asked to become involved in the Superfund process and remedial activity has ceased.
The tribe's main objective is to become involved in the remedial process to assure that materials are recovered in a manner that is in concordance with tribal custom and policy. Passamaquoddy also have interest in redressing environmental impact of contaminants to natural resources.
Organization Requesting Assistance
Pleasant Point Tribal Environmental Program Office
Beginning Date of Assistance
August 1999
Summary of TOSC Assistance
Support includes coordinating efforts among Northeast HSRC, EPA offices, and the tribe in request to desist remedial activity while the tribe is brought up to date on the Superfund process with assistance of TOSC. New Jersey Institute of Technology assisted the Passamaquoddy in identifying and obtaining an archeologist who could confer with EPA professionals about findings and relay information to the tribe. Haskell identified a Native American ecologist who will conduct a review and deliver comments on the existing Ecological Risk Assessment. Future work will revolve around giving community workshops on technical issues to keep the tribe involved in decision-making processes.
Publications
- Passamaquoddy Cultural Risk Assessment Comments, Related to Eastern Surplus Superfund Site Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study and Ecological Risk Assessment (PDF)
NOTE: The EPA TOSC and TOSNAC programs have ended.